Shepherds Pie Recipe

The Mashed Potatoes:
(You could add a touch of garlic powder or freshly roasted garlic to these potatoes as well for an exciting variation.)
About 5 Potatoes, Peeled and Cut Into Cubes
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
1 Tablespoons Softened Cream Cheese
1 Tablespoon Butter
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Pie Filling:
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Pound Ground Beef or Lamb
2 Carrots Peeled and Chopped
1 Onion Chopped
About 1/2 Cup Frozen Peas

Gravy:
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Beef Stock or Broth
A Healthy Squirt Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tsp Freshly Chopped Thyme

The Garnish:
Paprika
Freshly Chopped Parsley Leaves

Directions:
Get a pot large enough to hold your potatoes with room to spare and fill with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and then add your potatoes. Boil the potatoes in the salted water until tender. It should only take about 10-12 minutes. You can check the potatoes for doneness by piercing with a toothpick or fork. Drain the potatoes and add them to a large bowl. Add your sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until smooth. Set Aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil to the pan, then add the ground beef or lamb. Season the meat with a bit of salt and pepper. Brown the meat, crumbling it as you brown. If you are using meat that is high in fat, try and spoon out some of the drippings as you cook.

Add your chopped carrots and onions to the ground beef. Cook your vegetables with the meat for 5 minutes or so, stirring often. You can then remove from heat.

Now we are going to make our gravy. Grab another skillet and over medium heat cook 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour together for a few minutes, stirring often. Make certain to keep an eye on this mixture because it can burn. If it burns, the butter can turn bitter, and you will have to start over. You will only need to cook the butter and flour for a minute or so until it mixes together and is smooth.

Add your beef broth or stock, Worcestershire Sauce, and fresh thyme to the flour and butter mixture. Stir and allow gravy to thicken. It should only take a minute or so.

Add the gravy to your meat and veggies and stir in your frozen peas.

Preheat your oven broiler to high.

Now grab a relatively small round or rectangular baking dish and fill it with your meat and veggie mixture.

Top the mixture with your mashed potatoes and spread evenly over the mixture. Sprinkle some paprika on top and broil around 5 - 6 inches from the heat until the potatoes are evenly browned.
Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve.